Marie D. Thomas

Navy research into race, ethnicity, and gender issues: A historical review

Abstract During the past 20 years, researchers at the Navy Personnel Research and Development Center (NPRDC) have investigated issues relating to equal opportunity (EO). The present paper provides the first comprehensive review of past NPRDC EO research. Four main efforts are reviewed: EO climate, changing roles for Navy women, assessment of potential bias in Navy discipline, and Hispanic representation in Navys civilian workforce. It is concluded that, in addition to their historical import, these four avenues of research remain concerns for the Navy and American society in the 1990s.

Improving organizational surveys: New directions, methods, and applications.

Introduction - Paul Rosenfeld, Jack E Edwards and Marie D Thomas PART ONE: METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES The Organizational Survey Process - Jack E Edwards and Marie D Thomas General Steps and Practical Considerations Gathering Sensitive Data in Organizations - Jamshid C Hosseini and Robert L Armacost Measurement Errors in Organizational Surveys - Solomon Dutka and Lester R Frankel PART TWO: NEW DIRECTIONS IN PRACTICE Computer-Administered Surveys in Organizational Settings - Stephanie Booth-Kewley, Paul Rosenfeld, and Jack E Edwards Alternatives, Advantages and Applications New Methods and Technologies in the Organizational Survey Process - Richard A Dunnington Consortium Surveys - Gary W Morris and Mark A LoVerde PART THREE: APPLICATIONS Surveying Pregnancy and Single Parenthood - Marie D Thomas and Patricia J Thomas The Navy Experience Understanding Sexual Harassment Through Organizational Surveys - Amy L Culbertson and Paul Rosenfeld Quality of Work Life Surveys in Organizations - Elyse W Kerce and Stephanie Booth-Kewley Methods and Benefits The Military Equal Opportunity Climate Survey - Dan Landis, Mickey R Dansby, and Robert H Faley An Example of Surveying in Organizations Identifying Security Risks in Organizations - Robert A Giacalone and Stephen B Knouse Development and Use of a Security Exit Survey Instrument

Female smokers show lower pain tolerance in a physical distress task

Numerous studies have established a link between distress tolerance and smoking cessation outcomes. The present study examined whether smoking status affected physical distress tolerance, and considered this question separately for men and women. The sample was comprised of healthy adults, 56 smokers (63% male) and 58 nonsmokers (62% female). The pain stimulus was a cold pressor task. Outcome variables were seconds immersed in cold water when pain was first reported (threshold), and total seconds immersed in cold water (tolerance). Participants verbally reported their pain rating on a 0-100 scale after the task, and then completed the McGill Pain Questionnaire-Short Form. Smokers displayed lower pain tolerance than nonsmokers (p=.045), and women displayed lower pain tolerance than men (p=.017). Female smokers had significantly lower pain tolerance than other groups (p=.001). There were no significant differences in pain threshold or pain perception by smoking status or gender (p>.05). Lower physical distress tolerance could place female smokers at risk for difficulty in quitting smoking. This population needs additional research to better understand their unique pain experience and how physical distress tolerance impacts their smoking cessation outcomes.

Teaching positive psychology using team-based learning

This article describes a class in positive psychology taught using an innovative pedagogy, team-based learning (TBL). The course employed the use of permanent teams, processes that encourage students to come to class prepared, and interesting activities designed to promote active learning, develop team cohesion, and encourage the application of positive psychology principles to everyday life. The use of TBL fostered students’ responsibility for their own learning as well as for their team. Delivering positive psychology course content through a TBL class format allowed students the opportunity to consider and develop their own strengths and to practice many of positive psychology values including openness, cooperation, kindness, and trust.

Exploring women's daily lives and participation in the informal labour market in Mumbai, India

Dramatic reductions in trade barriers during the past 10 years have caused unprecedented economic growth in India. Little is known about the impact of globalisation on the informal labour market, especially the impact on women. We interviewed women working in four occupations in Mumbais informal labour market, gathering information about their daily lives, job responsibilities, and how the circumstances of their jobs have changed over the last 5 years. We construct a typical day in the lives of these women, discuss similarities and differences in the issues they face, and consider the policy implications of our results.

Willingness to Relocate for Employment: A Survey of Hispanics, Non-Hispanic Whites, and Blacks

Hispanics are underrepresented in many public-and private-sector organizations. This underrepresentation has led to calls for intensified targeted recruiting of Hispanics. The success of such recruiting efforts partially depends on the degree to which Hispanics are willing to relocatefor employment. The present study compared the geographic mobility of Hispanics (N = 704), non-Hispanic Whites (N = 525), and Blacks (N = 149). Persons who were applying for civil service jobs or taking civil service examinations in Corpus Christi Texas, completed a survey that assessed their likelihood of moving for employment. The results showed that Hispanics were as willing as Blacks and non-Hispanic Whites to relocate if incentives were high or the new employment areas had high Hispanic concentrations. If the new employment area did not have a high percentage of Hispanics, then Hispanics frequently indicated significantly less intention to move than did non-Hispanic Whites.

Diversity research in the United States Navy : an update

Abstract Researchers at the Navy Personnel Research and Development Center (NPRDC) have investigated issues related to gender, racial, and ethnic diversity for over two decades. Rosenfeld, M.D. Thomas, Edwards, P.J. Thomas, and E.D. Thomas (1991) provided a comprehensive review of NPRDC diversity research conducted between 1970 and 1990. This article examines NPRDC diversity research conducted during the past 5 years and identifies future research issues. The present review is divided into four major topic areas and a final section of conclusions and future directions. The first section describes the Navywide and unit-specific programs to assess equal opportunity climate and sexual harassment. The second section summarizes research pertaining to issues raised by womens changing roles and their increased participation in the Navy. In the third section, the findings of Navy discipline studies shed light on the issue of higher disciplinary rates among minority personnel. Research on Hispanics is reviewed in the fourth section. Finally, in the Discussion and Conclusions section, potential future research emphases are identified.